Contents of December 2004 American Libraries

News Fronts

7  ALA

• Burger, Hage Seek 2006–2007 Persidency
• Online Voting Begins March 15
• ALA Renews Call for Privacy Protection 
• ALA-APA Gets Financial Boost
• LeVar Burton to Address AASL 
• Plus: Council Candidates 

14  USA and International

• Clinton Library Draws Crowds, Boosts Local Economy 
• Flash Floods Drench University of Hawaii Library
• Buffalo Could Close Central Library, All 52 Branches
• Libraries Nix Flix As Patrons Cry Partisanship
• Global Reach 
• Plus: Teen Read Week
• Interview: Straight Answers from TED KOOSER, Poet Laureate 

Special News Reports

26  The Top 10 Library Stories of 2004

      The year in review.

32  High Noon at Clark Atlanta University

      BY RON CHEPESIUK
      Requiem for a library school?

34  Pageanty and Politics at Publishing’s Big Event

      BY JEFFREY GARRETT
      The 2004 Frankfurt Book Fair.

Features

42  Buddha at the Gate, Running:
       Why People Challenge Library Materials

      BY JAMES LARUE
      Parents who voice their concerns are the very patrons
      we should prize.

46  Lessons School Librarians Teach Others

      BY DOUG JOHNSON
      Class: The subject is integrity.

49  Serving Blind Readers in a Digital Age

      BY JOHN M. TAYLOR
      LC’s National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
      Handicapped moves toward a digital future.

52  Librarian at Risk

      BY PEGGY JOHNSON
      After exposing embezzlers in Cameroon, Innocent Afuh Awasom
      seeks refuge at the University of Minnesota.

54  In Defense of America’s Freedoms

      BY TOM TEEPEN
      An ALA offshoot celebrates 35 years of “societal good.”

Departments

5  ALA President’s Message

      “Spreading Social Epidemics”
      BY CAROL BREY-CASIANO

6  Finances

      “Building Purchase Will Strengthen ALA’s Presence in Washington”
      BY TERI R. SWITZER and RICK J. SCHWEITERMAN

36  Thus Said

38  Reader Forum

40  Editorial

      “Mevil Dewey on the Polar Express”
      BY LEONARD KNIFFEL

41  On My Mind

      “America’s Libraries: Democracy’s PR Tools”
      BY KIRSTEN L. ALLEN

57  ALA Executive Board Quarterly Report

      “Washington Office Purchase Moves Forward”
      BY GORDON FLAGG

59  Currents

61  Grassroots Report

      “Finding an Ethical Balance”
      BY JENNIFER BUREK PIERCE

62  Internet Librarian

      “What’s Next? Search Me”
      BY JOSEPH JANES

64  Technically Speaking

      “Whither Library Automation?”
      BY ANDREW K. PACE

66  Working Knowledge

      “Picture Yourself in the Director’s Chair”
      BY ELISA F. TOPPER

68  Librarian’s Library

      BY CATHLEEN BOURDON

70  Quick Vids

      “Never Seen Such Hard Times”
      BY GARY HANDMAN

72  Datebook

85  Career Leads

95  Index to Advertisers

96  Will’s World

      “The Apprentice— Reality or Fantasy?”
      BY WILL MANLEY